China's J-20 and FC-31 Not True 5th-Gen Fighters, Says Expert Citing 'Huge Engine Bleed' and Compromised Stealth

Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS), has challenged China's claims of mastering fifth-generation (5G) fighter jet technology.

Speaking on defence economics and technology, Iyer-Mitra highlighted technical shortcomings in Chinese aviation advancements, drawing comparisons with India's own challenges in military technology.

Iyer-Mitra argued that while China showcases its J-20 and FC-31 (also known as the Gyrfalcon) as 5th generation fighters, these aircraft suffer from significant engine issues, particularly "huge engine bleed." This refers to inefficiencies in engine design where air leakage impacts performance, a critical factor for stealth capabilities and overall aircraft maneuverability.

He further criticized the Chinese approach to "full spectrum signature management," suggesting that the technology to minimize detection across various spectra (radar, infrared, acoustic, visual, etc.) is not fully integrated into their aircraft designs. Signature management is crucial for stealth aircraft to reduce their detectability, making Iyer-Mitra's critique significant in assessing the true combat effectiveness of these jets.

Acknowledging India's own challenges, Iyer-Mitra humorously remarked, "India hasn't even mastered 4G." This comment reflects on India's slower progress in developing advanced fighter jets like the Tejas LCA, which has faced developmental hurdles and is often considered a 4th or 4.5th generation aircraft.

Looking ahead, Iyer-Mitra emphasized that true 6th generation (6G) technology goes beyond aesthetics and futuristic shapes. He stressed that next-generation aviation technology hinges on advanced materials, AI integration, network-centric warfare capabilities, and, crucially, advancements in propulsion and sensor technology not readily visible. This "under the skin" approach to 6th generation fighters would encompass innovations like laser weapons, hypersonic capabilities, and enhanced survivability through smart materials and adaptive camouflage.

Iyer-Mitra's observations suggest a need for both China and India to prioritize foundational technologies over external features in their military hardware. For India, this critique serves as a call to accelerate research in stealth technologies, propulsion systems, and electronic warfare. For China, it's a reminder to refine its industrial processes and technological integration to truly compete on a global scale with nations like the US, which lead in stealth technology.

 

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[saffronsword]

whatever said and done..... the chinese are still charging ahead, despite drawbacks and shortfalls....... we Indians need to.follow their example....

 

[Steel Mathi]

Take pleasure in underestimating your opponent's abilities.

 

[sanket]

Thats what i am saying about Chinas Engine issue from Last two days .China havent Mastered yet Jet Engine Tech

 

[M S ChatterjiVerified member]

Chinese claim more than what they can deliver. All their so called stealth fighters are with less than perfect engine. Their avionics are far behind. They have got whatever they could steal. Everything of their own design is far below par.

 

[Glory X]

Thats what i am saying about Chinas Engine issue from Last two days .China havent Mastered yet Jet Engine Tech

How do you know?

 

[Apex Legends]

How do you know?

It's a well-known fact that Chinese military equipment is only for show. Check any reliable YouTube channel worth its salt and look at their reviews and dissection of how and why Chinese military jets, missiles, armored vehicles, and aircraft are more of a show than anything.

A jet engine is the soul of a fighter jet, which China isn't even close to perfecting. Heck, they are facing troubles with their CJ-1000, which is for their lower-tier jets, and you think they'd have mastered their WS-10 and WS-15, the ones they use in their most advanced jets?If that were the case, then both Pakistan and they themselves wouldn't be using Russian engines for their J-17s.Just recently, in an exercise with Russia, 2 J-17s had to abandon their bomber midway and had to return for refueling; this is the condition of their mighty J-17.

Displaying 2 6th-gen prototype jets is nothing but a show for fools like you (had to name-call you, given how hopeless and desperate you get without even fact-checking and doing any research of your own) to rattle and create a sense of panic. Just look up the failed coup in Bolivia. I'm hoping you are aware of it and how your mighty Chinese armored trucks got stuck and couldn't even break down a gate to start their operations and broke down in the attempt (lmao). Just remembering this incident is making me laugh.

 

[Bhishma]

Take pleasure in underestimating your opponent's abilities.

Wait, so they possess the world's most advanced fighter jet tech and also backed off from the LAC and acknowledged defeat? And the icing on the cake, they want to give us money. Something doesn't add up. If they are in a position of strength, why did they back off from the LAC after a 5-year standoff? As it stands today, the PLA has made a fool of themselves and lost face.

 

[alpha numeric]

Wait, so they possess the world's most advanced fighter jet tech and also backed off from the LAC and acknowledged defeat?

Doesn't work like that. They want a stake mate on their western front so that they can focus on their eastern, for now.

Something doesn't add up.

Maybe you are just bad at math.

 

[Bhishma]

Doesn't work like that. They want a stake mate on their western front so that they can focus on their eastern, for now.

Maybe you are just bad at math.

Yeah, no. PLA spent 5 years with no result. You are twisting facts. The stalemate has been there since 2019. India and China locked horns with 60k troops each. PLA acknowledged defeat and backed off. Big difference. It's not a stalemate. It's called licking your wounds. If you are invading, make no breakthrough, and pull back your troops and come to diplomatic terms, it is considered a "failed campaign" and "loss of face." Not a stalemate.

The Chinese think they are so smart. This is the problem with yes-men culture. They are full of themselves. Like India will allow the Chinese to "stalemate" on the western border and make gains on the eastern border. Pre-2019, India had no proper infrastructure. Now India has well-developed infrastructure; we can easily deploy 100k troops in hours. Which is a massive strategic blunder by the PLA. So the dilemma China faces is to keep wondering whether India will make moves in Indian territory Aksai Chin or the Indian protectorate Lhasa if the PLA got engaged on the eastern front. Take your eyes off Tibet, and India will swoop in. So, does China have the balls to do that?

 

[Gagne]

It's a well-known fact that Chinese military equipment is only for show. Check any reliable YouTube channel worth its salt and look at their reviews and dissection of how and why Chinese military jets, missiles, armored vehicles, and aircraft are more of a show than anything.

A jet engine is the soul of a fighter jet, which China isn't even close to perfecting. Heck, they are facing troubles with their CJ-1000, which is for their lower-tier jets, and you think they'd have mastered their WS-10 and WS-15, the ones they use in their most advanced jets?If that were the case, then both Pakistan and they themselves wouldn't be using Russian engines for their J-17s.Just recently, in an exercise with Russia, 2 J-17s had to abandon their bomber midway and had to return for refueling; this is the condition of their mighty J-17.

Displaying 2 6th-gen prototype jets is nothing but a show for fools like you (had to name-call you, given how hopeless and desperate you get without even fact-checking and doing any research of your own) to rattle and create a sense of panic. Just look up the failed coup in Bolivia. I'm hoping you are aware of it and how your mighty Chinese armored trucks got stuck and couldn't even break down a gate to start their operations and broke down in the attempt (lmao). Just remembering this incident is making me laugh.

Don't underestimate Chinese tech only because you guys have geopolitical problems with them. How is well known fact that their military equipment is only for show? How do you know about this or what precisely do you know? Have you met them on the battlefield, no, have anyone met them, no.. Have you had them in your hands, no.. then how do you know their weapons are bad and for show? This is nothing different but Americans saying how Russian weapons are bad, I grew up with this sentence, and all while Americans are the best. For now to see how American weapons are collapsing in Ukriane. There are many Ukrianan testimonials about American weapons being ineffective and not as good as presented. So, lesson learned I guess.
Chinese have great economy and can develop
much more than other nations. Saying how Chinese equipment is only for show is very childish.
Go and check what do you have at home. I'd bet 90% of your items are made in China

 

[beencensured]

Wait, so they possess the world's most advanced fighter jet tech and also backed off from the LAC and acknowledged defeat? And the icing on the cake, they want to give us money. Something doesn't add up. If they are in a position of strength, why did they back off from the LAC after a 5-year standoff? As it stands today, the PLA has made a fool of themselves and lost face.

I've said this before: the conditions in Tibet are life and death, and if you are not adapted to that environment, you risk high levels of attrition. Even for those adapted, it is high risk. Many in India found it funny they were depending on oxygen tanks, as they really would not be able to fight. Further, I always maintained that China would, because of attrition issues, suffer more, as such losses would not be acceptable. Keeping the border hot is advantageous to India for many reasons. Third, seeing India has three SSBNs on the horizon made China gain more respect for India, its economic growth and development, etc.

 

[Bhishma]

I've said this before: the conditions in Tibet are life and death, and if you are not adapted to that environment, you risk high levels of attrition. Even for those adapted, it is high risk. Many in India found it funny they were depending on oxygen tanks, as they really would not be able to fight. Further, I always maintained that China would, because of attrition issues, suffer more, as such losses would not be acceptable. Keeping the border hot is advantageous to India for many reasons. Third, seeing India has three SSBNs on the horizon made China gain more respect for India, its economic growth and development, etc.

The Agni MIRV test was a major turning point. They completely lost their mind from that point onwards. They realized that fighting India head-on is not going to work. So, as usual, they have resorted to proxy warfare. The PLA today is nothing more than Insta models. There is huge corruption. Getting into the army has good benefits for them. They are poorly qualified and poorly motivated, with no cohesiveness. Attacking India in 2019 was a major disaster for them. If they had not, then Indian markets would have been open for them. They could have eased their economic pressure, then attacked Taiwan. India wouldn't have bothered with them at all. Now that they have made their intentions clear, we have put up our infrastructure. We can deploy 100k troops in hours. So, if they move their troops out of Tibet, we will move in and take over Aksai Chin and liberate Lhasa. We will cut off the critical E. Turkestan-Tibet road going via Aksai Chin. So, for god knows what reason, they attacked us in Galwan and are now staring at a bleak future of having to lose two large chunks of their captured territory.

 

[fukuhala]

It's a well-known fact that Chinese military equipment is only for show. Check any reliable YouTube channel worth its salt and look at their reviews and dissection of how and why Chinese military jets, missiles, armored vehicles, and aircraft are more of a show than anything.

A jet engine is the soul of a fighter jet, which China isn't even close to perfecting. Heck, they are facing troubles with their CJ-1000, which is for their lower-tier jets, and you think they'd have mastered their WS-10 and WS-15, the ones they use in their most advanced jets?If that were the case, then both Pakistan and they themselves wouldn't be using Russian engines for their J-17s.Just recently, in an exercise with Russia, 2 J-17s had to abandon their bomber midway and had to return for refueling; this is the condition of their mighty J-17.

Displaying 2 6th-gen prototype jets is nothing but a show for fools like you (had to name-call you, given how hopeless and desperate you get without even fact-checking and doing any research of your own) to rattle and create a sense of panic. Just look up the failed coup in Bolivia. I'm hoping you are aware of it and how your mighty Chinese armored trucks got stuck and couldn't even break down a gate to start their operations and broke down in the attempt (lmao). Just remembering this incident is making me laugh.

so india so far has nothing even for show, it is a huge shame for the world's biggest democratic nation